Your opinion of Goodman Games 1E style Modules

AxeMental · Post by **AxeMental** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:00 am

I honestly don't own a single Goodman Games module. Curious what people think of their more "old school" stuff. Some of the cover art looks good, but what about the module itself. Is it more early AD&D or more watered down D20-spunk.

PS anyone have this? http://www.goodman-games.com/5033preview.php
If so what do yah think of it?

T. Foster · Post by **T. Foster** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:03 am

I pre-ordered the 1E Goodman Games module, but I haven't received my copy yet. I don't own any of their other stuff. I've taken looks through various of them in the FLGS, though, and haven't been particularly impressed -- they've got the right look (TSR c. 1981 trade dress, artists (Otus, Roslof, etc.), blue-inked maps on the inside covers, etc.) but the adventures themselves don't look too inspiring -- almost every one I've looked at has had a very linear map with about 10 encounter areas, and that's it. My impression is that they're keeping their page-counts down to the "classic" 24-32pp range not by actually working in the minimalizt style of the early TSR modules but rather by releasing skimpy adventures that would probably be better suited to Dungeon magazine -- just like TLG's C&C adventures, instead of 48pp of material squeezed into 24pp we're getting 10pp of material stretched and padded into 24pp.

meepo · Post by **meepo** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:22 am

T. Foster wrote:we're getting 10pp of material stretched and padded into 24pp.

In their defense, it IS 3.5 D&D we're talking about. It's not so much padding as it is insanely long stat blocks. For Goblins and their ilk, mind you.

meepo · Post by **meepo** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:29 am

Also, though these modules are shorter than the rest of the series, they do give a good idea (more or less) on what they're like and are only $2 each.

DCC#11: The Dragonfiend Pact

DCC#31: The Transmuter’s Last Touch

T. Foster · Post by **T. Foster** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:30 am

Yeah, I know, but the result's the same (less "content per page" than I'm accustomed to). The guy who did the 1e conversion for "Iron Crypt of the Heretics" (who is, I believe, a friend of grodog's) mentioned that because of the much shorter 1E statblocks they were actually able to add back in a couple of extra rooms/encounters that had been cut from the original. So that's a win-win: 1E stats that I can actually use, plus more content

meepo · Post by **meepo** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:33 am

T. Foster wrote:Yeah, I know, but the result's the same (less "content per page" than I'm accustomed to). The guy who did the 1e conversion for "Iron Crypt of the Heretics" (who is, I believe, a friend of grodog's) mentioned that because of the much shorter 1E statblocks they were actually able to add back in a couple of extra rooms/encounters that had been cut from the original. So that's a win-win: 1E stats that I can actually use, plus more content

Heck yeah! I didn't realize that, that is great news indeed. I do understand what you mean, though.

Anyway, according to this thread, we should be getting that adventure shortly.

dzubak · Post by **dzubak** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:13 pm

Axe,
I don't have that particular one in question. However, I'm afraid I'd have to agree with TFoster on this one. Of the odd 2 dozen or so DCCs that I own, very few have wow'd me. The only one that made me say I gotta run this. One way or another, conversion or not! was DCC #25 The Dread Crypt of Srihoz. This module is very reminiscent of 1E. A lot of well thought out encounters and deadly traps (crushing ceiling, teleportation to 500 miles away, 240' fall, etc) at every turn. Reminded me of a mix of C1, S1 & S2.

I enjoyed DCC #10 The Sunless Garden as it wasn't quite so linear - it had a central cavern with several areas to explore (ala D1) and the concept was a bit different.

For some reason, DCC #17 Legacy of Savage Kings is popping into my mind as cool but I have no clue why.

Most of the others, I look over with a quick read and say Man, it had so much potential.

If you want specifics on any particular one just post a name or number and I'll give it a mini-review after I check it out at home. Right now, I'm going off the top of my head. I do know that the Dread Crypt of Srihoz is the one with the most classic 1E feel.

Mythmere · Post by **Mythmere** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:29 pm

Crap, that DOES look like a good module! (Srihoz).

jgbrowning · Post by **jgbrowning** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:36 pm

Stefan's art.

joe b.

dzubak · Post by **dzubak** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:32 pm

Mythmere wrote:Crap, that DOES look like a good module! (Srihoz).

Yeah, if I had to recommend one of the series, that'd be it. It only has 26 detailed areas, no pre-gens, and very little set-up (you find yourself at the very door of the crypt to start out) and is an impressive product.

I enjoy Stefan's art but he not my favorite DCC artist. I enjoy the work Jason Edwards, William McAusland, and Brad McDevitt.

JRMapes · Post by **JRMapes** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:33 pm

Maybe I should take a look at some of the other DCCs mentioned. The ones i picked up and browsed thru were filled to the brim with drow this and drow that, undead drow here, undead drow liches there, skeletal poison spitting drows and undead poison spitting drow liches and on and on and on.

blackprinceofmuncie · Post by **blackprinceofmuncie** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:38 pm

I've looked at a few of these modules that friends have bought and wanted me to consider running for them. My impression has been that, in general, they have some pretty interesting adventure ideas but the execution is almost universally bland and uninspiring. I haven't seen one that even comes close to living up to the standards of (for example) Village of Hommlet or Steading of the Hill Giants. IMO once you get past the window-dressing none of the GG modules are particularly old-school.

Post by **Falconer** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:47 pm

I did get DCC #3.5 The Haunted Lighthouse because Arneson supposedly wrote it and Otus did the cover art, making it a good investment for cheap. I am definitely not inspired to run it, though. I keep it around for a rainy day, but every time I look at it I just prefer to wing it.

As far as DCC #12.5 Iron Crypt of the Heretics 1e Version, I don't know anything about it or anything about the d20 version, but there's no way I could pass up a 1e print module. Rob's CAS1 Cairn of the Skeleton King is a beautiful thing, and I look forward to more! Regards.

Mythmere · Post by **Mythmere** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:57 pm

Falconer wrote: there's no way I could pass up a 1e print module. Rob's CAS1 Cairn of the Skeleton King is a beautiful thing, and I look forward to more! Regards.

You've also seen Pod-Caverns and Red Mausoleum? There are several 1e modules coming out in print right now; check the OSRIC products sticky thread at the top of the general forum here.

Post by **Falconer** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:27 pm

Thanks for pointing that out. I've been looking for a list like that.

It's just confusing with all the PDFs and pre-orders. Are any of those actually print products that are available? Thanks.